Fabricated-steel tower or derrick construction



July 10, 1928. 1,676,538

C. B. FOSTER FABRICATED STEEL TOWER OR DERRICK CONSTRUCTION Filed July 17, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l g I n nun-n" K a INVENTORl 4 July 10, 192s.

C. B. FOSTER FABRICATED STEEL TOWER OR DERRICK CONSTRUCTION FiledJuly 17, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 iyf 4/ W R I! i 0 J2 INVENTOR. I

July 10,1928;

c. B. FOSTER FABRICATED' STEEL TOWER OR DERRICK CONSTRUCTION.

Filed uly 17, 1926 v 5 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I r INV NTOR. I

Patented July 10, UNITED STAT-ES rATEur ko 1,675,538 Price- CLARENCE 1B. FOSTER, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGIl'OR OI ONE-SIXTH TO F REI Je I ERICK L. FEISTHAIEL," ONE-SIXTH T0 ARTHUR Ji CARE, AND ONE-SIXTH TO I THOMAS A. COLLINS, ALL OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. v

FAIBBICATED-STEEL TOWEB OB DERRICK CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed m 17, 1020. Serial in; ma n.

This invention relates to an improved type of fabricated steel tower or derrick construction, and is particularly directed to that class of structure in which the corner leg columns and associated girts are formed-of standard structural angles.

It is'the major purpose of the present invention to produce an improved type of heav duty corner construction formed of fabricated steel angles associated in a particular relationship to produce adjacent sides connected to a corner leg column, with said column comprised of two op osed inner leg angles and an outer intermediate leg angle arranged in back-to-back relationship to orm a triple-angle leg column cross-shape in cross section, and with the transverse girts of each adjacent side connected to one of said inner leg angles and the outer leg angle connected only to said inner le angles,

whereby said outer leg angle may independently removed to convert the heavy duty structure into a structure suitable for lighter duty; and to provide a novel type of compound gusset-bracket adapted for association with the le angles and transverse girts to strengthen-t e structure at points of uncture of the side members with said corner column. i

A further object residesin incorporatin such a construction in a tower or derric structure in a manner permitting the erection of such a structure progressively in stoeasy, quick, and economical manner.-

ries or tiers each of which may be finished to a horizontal level, and in which the corner leg columns are each formed of three strings of angleleg sections vertically aligned to abut one upon the other with thesections of the outer intermediate string arranged in -break-joint relationship with those of the two inner opposed strings of leg sections.

. A still further object is to incorporate such aconstruction in awell derrickf rad-1 ually tapering upwardly and arrang for conversion from a heavy 'duty drilling der- 1 two vertica gusset plates each associated with one of said sides' to provide's'uch us-- rick to'a lighter pumping derrick n an In the drilling of wells, the derrick is subjected to very heavy loads and strains and must for this reason he ofvery sturdy construction, while a derrick used for operating a completed well is not subjected to such heavy loads or strains and can therefore be of much lighter construction.

.verticalgusset means, and that such A heavy derrick suitable for drilling is quite expensive and as a matter of economy Itis therefore of great economical imp or tance to so design a well derrick that it may be of such strength as to be first used as a" drilling derrick and can be subsequently converted, at a minimum of expense, intoa lighter umping derrick, without excessive dismant ing of parts and so that suchparts are fully available for replacement to quickly and easily reconvert the structure back to a drilling derrick, or may be com-- pletely salvaged for use in the building of another drilling derrick. It is of further I v importance that awell. derrick be well braced and reinforced, especially at'the cor ner legs, to withstand, strains tending'tobend or twist the structure, and for this rea son it is desirable that the girts of each side vvof the structure be connected-to the correspondinggirts of the adjacent sides by horizontal gusset means, that the girts "and bracesvbe connectedto'the leg columns by means be of such. character that their sej urance in place is not entirely dependent upon bolts or like means.

usset.

Therefore, 'aifnong the furtherobjects of a this invention are; to proiiide an integral compound usset bracket ada ted for association wit a corner leg co umnand the two adjacent sides of the structure,-and providinga horizontal gusset plate formingan horizontal irts of sai set bracket with angled wings or anc or plates adapted to be. clamped between the outer and inner leg anglesof the corner column; and to provide a compound gusset independent connectin means-between thead acent sides, and

A rainy-at corner portion of the-tower, looking I wardly in the direction indicated by the Fig.6 is a'perspective view of one-of the gusset brackets as'it will appear before the bolt holes are punched therein. 7

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a drilling derrick parent fromsthe following description of t eaccom anying drawings, which form apart of t is disclosure, and which illustrate a preferred form of em-- bodiment of the invention. Of the drawings Fig.1 is-an elevation of atower structureconstructed 'in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged'plansection, partly Fig; 4 is a fragmentary elevation of a arrow4 in Fig- 2. Fig. 5 is'a pllm view of the gusset bracket blank before 'ing bent to form;

constructed in accordance with the present invention. 1

. Fig. 8 is-an enlarged fragmentary'elevation of one corner of the derrick as 11:- will appear with the outer intermediate leg angles removed.

' replace'the removed intermediate leg angles.

' spective sides of the structure. The several p llv In Figs. 1 to 6 there is illustrated a heavy duty type of structure in the form of a square tower having four corner leg columns connected together by transverse girts and diagonal sway braces which form the releg columns are of duplicate construction and each is formed of three strin s of angle sections disposed in back-to-bac, relationshipto form a leg column substantially cross-shape in cross section, with the sec tions of each string-vertically. aligned to abut one upon the other,

The inner opposed angle leg sections 10 and line disposed with their respective flanges '10 and '11 extended in the planes of the respective adjacent sides of the tower and withtheir other flanges 10 and 11" ex- .-tending outwardly, andthe respective leg gsections 10 and 11 of the several corner leg fcolumns arev arrangedi'in horizontal align- '-'mentso as to bring the several .lines 12 of abutment at coincident verticalllye spaced intervals, whereby-the tower may assembled progressively in stories or tiers to a horizontal level. The outer intermediate angle .leg sections 13.aredisposed between the inner opposed leg sections 10 and 11 with their flanges in parallel relationship with the flanges-10" and-11" of said inner leg angles and said outer leg angles are disposed in brake-jointrel-ationshi with the inner leg angles 10 and 11 so t at their lines 14 of be bent Fig. 9 is a simllar elevation showing the angles joint-plates which may bejused to was abutment come half way between those-of the inner leg angles, as shown'in Fi 1.

"Disposed at each end of each pair of the innerleg angle sections 10 and 11 is a-comound gusset bracket of novelconstruction, ormed to provide two vertical gusset plates 15 and 16 disposed-- at right angles to each other, a horizontal. gusset plate 17 connect ing said vertical gussetplates, and two vertical anchor plates 18 and 19 extendin outwardly from and at right angles to t e re-.

spective vertical gusset plates. This gusset bracket is preferably formed of a single sheet metal stamping of the contour illus- -trated in Fig. 5, said stamping being formed with a' central aperture 20 and a slit 21 extending inwardly to intersect said aperture.

so t

In the forming of the bracket from .said' stamping) the anchor plates 18 and 19. may ack along the dotted lines 18 and 19 and at right angles to the vertical gusset plates 15 and 16, and saidve'rtical gusset plates 15 and 16 may then be bent upwardly along the lines-15 and 16' and at ri ht angles to the horizontal gusset late 17, t ius forming a bracket of 'substant-ia lythe shape illustrated in Fig. 6, said bracket being, by preference, subsequently punched or bored to accommodate the several rivets or bolts by which it is secured into the tower structures At each level or tier of the tower structure, as defined by the lines 12 of abutment between the verticallv adjacent inner leg angles, two of the a ve described gusset brackets are ositioned in reverse relationship with their respective horizontal gusset lates 17 back-to-back and their respective vertical plates extended in opposite directions; andsuch gusset brackets are disposed so that their vertical gusset plates 15 and 16 closely engage the inner surfaces of the flanges 10 and 11" of the respective inner leg angles 10 and 11, and with their vertical anchor'plates 18 and 19 disposed between the adjacent outer leg angle section 13, and the respective flanges 10 and 11 of the inner leg angles 10 and 11, as clearly shown in Fig. '2, these particular gusset brackets being-indicated enerally, by the reference characters A an B.

Certain other intermediate gusset brackets C and D, similar to those above described, are preferably located at approximately the middle of. the respective pairs of inner leg angles 10 .and 11- of each corner column and are disposedin the same re- ;lationship to the several leg angles as are the gusset brackets A and B, that is, each pair of said brackets G and D are in reverse relationship vertically with their verical anchor plates positioned between the leg angles and theirhorizontal gusset plates in back-to-back relationship.

In erecting the structure, the several leg anti-vibration said bracket,

together by tive gusset brackets C and D, and the a ja-. cent flanges of the leg angles 13, and the bolts 24 extending through the flangxes 10", through suitable spacers 25, and t rough the adjacent flange of the respective leg angle 13; and by bolts 26,27, and 28 extending in like manner through the flange 11 of the respective leg angles 11, the anchor plates of the respective sset plates and the adjacent flanges of t e respective le angles 13, the bolts 28 extending throng suitable spacers 29, in the same manner as do the bolts 24, it being understood that a greater number of the bolts 24 and 28, with their associated spacers, may be provided if desired.

The side structure connecting the adjacent corner leg column is illustrated as comprising a pluralit of girts and braces, and as such girts an braces included in each story or tier are duplicates of those included in the other stories or tiers, only one set thereof will herein be described in detail. The sides of each story includes lower and upper transverse marginal girts 30 and 31, so called because they define the respective lower and upper margins of the respective story, a pair of intermediate transverse girts 32 and 33, a lower pair of diagonal sway or braces 34 and 35, and an upper pair of similar sway or anti-vibration braces 36 and 37.

The several transverse girts are of angle form and may be of identical size and shape, with the ends of their horizontal flanges cut angular as shown in Fig. 2, and the respective ends of each agirt are disposed in nested relationship insi e the cooperating usset bracket with the horizontal flange 0 said girt engagin the horizontal gusset plate thereof and t e vertical flange of said girt engagin the adjacent vertical usset plate of said racket. This'relations ip, will in the complated structure, dispose the several girts in pairs, which pairs are secured together at spaced intervals by bolts 38 extending through the horizontal flanges of the respective girtsv and through suitable intermediate spacers 39.

, Each end of each irt is secured to the associated gusset brac et by a bolt 40, extending through its vertical flange and the adjacent vertical gusset plate portion of and-is secured to said bracket and the adjacent inner leg angle by a bolt 41 extending through the vertical ange of said girt, said vertical gusset plate portion g rl and said inner in back-to-back relations cross-sha e in cross angles,

of said bracket and through said inner le 7 angle, said vertical gusset plate portion o the bracket being thus clamped. between said leg angle,

evident/in Fig. 2. Bolts 42 extend through the horizontal flanges of the respective girts,

gusset plate por- I A, B, and

and through the horizontal tions 17 of each pair of brackets C, D, thus securing said pairsof brackets together independently of their connection with the corner legs,

ssetplates are further secured together as is plainly and said horizontal independently also of the girts-,by a bolt 43.

. The several dia onal sway braces are of angle form and tei-rends are swaged tov bring both flanges thereof to. vertical parallel contact thus providing securing ends of double thickness. These respective sway braces are each secured to. the vertical gusset late portions of the associated brackets by olts 44 and 45, the bolts 44 extending through said braces and the vertical gusset plate portions of said brackets, 45 extending through said braces, said bracket and the adjacent'inner angle leg sections.

The above described construction provides a tower of similar structure in which the respective corner leg columns each consists of three strings of angle le sections arranged ip and secured together. throughout their lengths at spaced intervals to form corner legs substantially section, and transverse irts an braces connected to said corner egs by compound horizontal and vertical "usset brackets, with such gusset brackets orming reinforcing connections joinin the transverse girts and the tower to those of the adjacent side thereof. Such construction further provides angles and an mtermediate string of outer corner leg angles connected together in a manner permitting a removal 0 said outer leg angles to convert the structure'- to one.

adapts le for use for lighter service.

In Fig. 7, the above described construction is shown incorporated in an oil well drilling derrick, and when such a'. derrick. is to be converted to a lighter pumpin the-outer leg angles 13 thereof wi moved, Fig. rickwith suchleg angles removed. In certain instancesthe structure maybe used in this condition, but itis sirable to substitute for short angle joint-plates 50., as shown in Fig. 9, these joint-plates being secured in place by bolts 51 which extend through the same bolt holes as did the respective bolts 22, 23, 26, and 27 previously used to secure believed to be de the rempved 7 and the bolts braces of one si e of derrick. 1' be 're- 8 showing a corner of the der- 4 provided to extend through the boltl holes '52 and secure the vertical anchor plates 18, 3

' 7 19 to the respective inner leg angles The several'stories or tiers of the tower are herein described as being of like construc- 1 tion, but it is to be understood that this'has ified to accommodate Ill more articular reference to the major portion t ereof, for it will be evident, particularly to those skilled in the oil industry, that in a well derrickf certain portions of the structure will necessarilybe somewhat modthe walking-beam draw-works and other portionsof the drilling or pumping equipment and also that suitable provisions will be made. for the derrick ladder, platform, water table, crownblock, etc.

-While.the structureherein illustrated and I described i's'fully capable of fulfilling all of the objects primarily stated it is to beunderstood that I-do not wish to restrict the resent'inventionto the specific embodiment erein disclosed, for itis susceptible of embodiment in various other forms, all coming within the scope of the claims, which follow.

I claim as myjinvention: I

'1. Ina structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of: relatively spaced tripleangle corner leg columns, each comprised of only 'two opposedinner leg angles and one intermediate outer leg'iangle disposed 'in relatively spaced back-to-back relationship form a corner leg column substantially cross-shape in cross forming the respective sides of'the structure and connecting the adjacent corner leg columns, the girts of each side being secured at mediate leg angles may intermediate outer leg opposite ends to the adjacent inner leg angles of the associated leg columns; means connecting the inner leg angles of each cor ner column independently of the intermediate leg angles thereof; and independent removable means for securing the intermedi-. ate le angle of each corner column to the inner leg angles thereof whereby the interbe independently re moved." 7 v 2. In a structuieof the nature disclosed, the combinationof: relatively spaced tri I leangle corner'leg columns, each comprise of only two-opposed'inner leg angles and one angle disposed in relatively spaced back-to-back relationship I to form a 'corner'leg of each inner, leg an the adjacent side of t I column" substantially cross shape in cross section, .with one flange le disposed parallel to girts-s forming the respective sides .of the structure and connecting the adjacent cornerleg cOlumns, the girts of each sidebeing secured to the respective parallel'flanges of the adjacent inner le angles; means con'-. nectin said flanges of both innerleg angles of cat: cornerleg column independent] of the intermediate leg angle thereof; an reangle corner leg columns,

section transverse girts e structure; transverse angles o f said I :horizontally aligned so removable means for securing the intermediate leg angle only to the inner leg angles, whereby'said intermediate leg angle-may be separately removed.

.4.,In a structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of:

relatively spaced tripleeach' comprised of two opposed strings of inner leg angles one intermediate string of outer leg angles arranged in relatively spaced back-toback relationship to form a corner leg col-' umn substantially cross-shape in cross section, the leg angles of each string being vertically aligned to abut one upon another, the

the inner leg angles of said two opposed strings being horizontally aligned so that the leg angles of both said opposed strings abut at coincident levels, and the intermediate leg angles being disposed to breakjoint with the inner leg angles; transverse girts forming the frespective sides of the structure and connecting the adjacent corner leg columns; means for securing the girts of each side to the adjacent inner leg angles of each associated corner column; and independent removable means for securing the intermediate leg an les only to-the inner leg angles, whereby sai intermediate leg angles may be separately removed.

5. In a structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of: relatively spaced tripleangle cornerleg columns, each comprised of twoopposed strings of inner leg angles and an intermediate string of outer leg angles arranged in relatively spaced back-to bac k relationship to form a corner leg column substantially cross-shape in cross section, the le angles of each string being vertically aligne to abut one upon another, the inner leg two opposed strings being that the leg angles of both said opposed strings abut at coincident -levels,"and the intermediate leg angles being disposed to break-joint with the inner leg angles transverse girts forming the respective sides of the structure and connecting the adjacent corner leg columns; means for ser securing the girts o1 eachside to the adjacentlinner leg. angle of each associated corner column and independent 7 column to the intermediate le angle thereill;

aevaeae curing the girts of each side to the adjacent inner leg angles of each associated corner column; means connecting the inner leg angles of each corner leg column independently of the intermediate leg angles thereof; and independent means for securing the intermediate leg angles only to the inner leg angles, whereby said intermediate leg angles may be separately removed.

6. In a structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of: a triple-angle corner leg column formed of two opposed strings of vertically aligned inner leg angles with the angles of each string horizontally aligned with those of the other string and an intermediate string of vertically aligned outer leg angles disposed in break-joint relationship with said inner leg angles, the three strings of leg angles e relatively spaced back-to-back relationship to form a corner leg column. substantially cross-shape in cross section; reinforcing brackets positioned at opposite ends of said inner leg angles and secured thereto to form direct connections between both strings of inner leg angles; transverse girts forming adjacent sides of the structure, the girts of each side being secured to the adjacent in ner leg angles and to said brackets and means for securing the intermediate leg angles only to the inner leg angles, whereby said intermediate leg angles may be sepa rately removed.

7. In a structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of a triple-angle corner leg column formed of two inner strings of vertically aligned leg an les with the angles of each string horizonta ly aligned with those of the other string,

and an intermediate string of verticallyaligned 1e angles disposed in break-'omt relations ip with the inner leg angles, the three strings of leg angles being arranged in back-to-back relationship to form a corner leg column substantially cross-shape in cross section; compound gusset brackets reversely arranged in pairs and positioned at the abutting ends of the inner leg angles, each bracket having two vertical gussetplate portions connected by a horizontal gusset plate portion, ,with each vertical gusset plate secured to the adjacent inner leg angle and the horizontal gusset plate forming a direct connection between the two inner strings securing the horizontal gusset plates of each pair of brackets together to connect the several leg angles of both inner strings; transverse girts and braces forming ad'acent sideso'l the structure, the girts and races of each side being secured to the adjacent inner leg angles and the adjacent brackets;

and separate means for securing the inter mediate leg angles to the inner leg angles independently of the girts, braces, and brackets.

ing arranged in of leg angles; means leg columns, the girts I 8. In a structure of the nature "disclosed,

the combination of: relatively spaced corner leg columns each formed of two opposed strin s of vertically aligned leg angles with the anges of each string disposed at right angles to the adjacent flanges string, and with the inner flange of each of the opposed string disposed parallel to the adjacent side of the structure and the'other flange thereof extended outwardly, the leg angles of both strings being horizontally aligned to bring their' respective abutment joints at coincldent levels; transverse girts forming the respective sides of the structure and connecting the adjacent leg columns; means for securing the girts of each side to the adjacent inner flanges of the associated leg columns;

intermediate angle connecting elements associated with each corner leg column and disposed between the outer flanges of both strings of leg angles thereof in positions to. span said respective abutment oints; and

separate means for securing said connecting.

elements to said outer flanges of the leg angles of both opposed strings. p

9. A compound gusset bracket for a fabricated steel structure, comprised of: two angularly disposed vertical usset plate portions; a horizontal usset p ate portion connecting the lower e ges of said vertical sset plate portions; and two vertical anchor plate portions, eachvertical edge of one of said vertical sset plate portions and angularly dispose rela tive thereto. 7

'10. A compound gusset ricated steel structure comprised otza single sheet metal stamping having a horizontal triangular gusset plate, two vertical gusset plates extending upwardly from the respective opposite edges of said horizontal gusset plate,.and two vertical anchor plates each extending outwardly vertical edge of one of said vertical sset plates and angularly disposed re ative thereto.

11. In a structure of the nature disclosed, the combination of relatively s aced triple-- angle corner leg columns, eac comprised of only two opposed strings of vertically ali ed leg angles and one intermediate string of vertically aligned leg an ranged in relatively spaced back-toiationship to form a corner leg column subleg angles of bothopposed strings of all-of said leg columnsbeing respectively, of corresponding len the. so as to break joint at coincident leve s, and the intermediate le angles of each corner column being disposed in reek-joint relationship with those of the companion opposed strings; and transverse girts forming the respective sides of thev structure and connecting the adjacent corner 0 each side being sebracket for a labice from the inner I les araclrrestantially cross-shaped in cross sectiomthe 1' cured to the adjacent opposed strings of the associated corner leg columns independently of the intermediate leg angles thereof.

12. A combination as defined in claim 7, in which each compound gussetbracket has two vertical anchor plates each connected to one of the vertical gusset plate portions thereof and positioned between one inner leg langle and the adjacent intermediateleg an e.

1 3. A combination asdefined in claim 7, in which each girt is of angle form and is nested in a horizontal corner of one of said gusset brackets with its horizontal flange in which the girts of each side comprise upper girts secured to the upper ends of the inner leg angles of the associated corner leg columns and lower girts secured to the lower ends of said inner leg angles. 7

In testimoni whereof, I have hereunto set mi hand at 05 Angeles, California, this 8t day of- July, 1926.

CLARENCE B.- FOSTER. 

